Dutch AR10 bayonet, Portuguese contract. (ABCN178-1)(JN148-2)(K39)
Dutch produced Armelite AR10 automatic rifle. Serial number: 7912 on the top,of the pommel. Excellent blued double edged blade with long false edge. Ricasso shows the Dutch makers logo: AI in a triangle(=Artillerie Inrichtingen - HEMBRUG) Blued pommel with T-slot and crossguard with muzzle ring MRD 21.5 mm. Excellent++ one piece wooden grip wraps around the blade tang and is secured by two small screw bolts.
Correct US M4 style green plastic scabbard with lace hole in tip and blued metal throat. Lots of user spurs to the green plastic scabbard body only. Green khaki belt loop with retaining strap riveted to the scabbard. This is the original khaki belt loop. Many worn khaki belt loops are replaced by the Portuguese by leather belt loops.
In 1960 Dutch A.I made approx. 4.000 -5.000 Armelite AR-10 rifles only. That was the total production of this rifle.
From this number, 2.500 rifles were sold to Sudan. Sudan did not order this bayonet with the rifle, but choose a complete other design from another manufacturer.
Only 1.556 rifles were produced for Portugal. To diverse other countries like Italy, A.I sold a very small number of rifles only for try-outs and all without bayonets
Only for Portugal, 1.600 AR-10 bayonets were made for the 1.556 AR-10 rifles produces for Portugal. Portugal used these rifles and bayonet very intensively in conflicts with Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Timor. Something you can see on the condition of these blades. Another hand full bayonets more stayed in the Netherlands.
This makes this Excellent example extremely rare!